Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as127Please respect copyright.PENANAGCWQ6aLPZE
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to127Please respect copyright.PENANADikrvgODHt
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell127Please respect copyright.PENANAO2lpdmnVsu
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton127Please respect copyright.PENANAD8J4faJ6gV
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had127Please respect copyright.PENANAnfMwxa3EuU
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put127Please respect copyright.PENANAFfyUmogsGm
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth127Please respect copyright.PENANADjuQJywAEf
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for127Please respect copyright.PENANAxVufZ6vvAI
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He127Please respect copyright.PENANAzNuefx8qAs
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of127Please respect copyright.PENANAE1NJMMBfYN
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You127Please respect copyright.PENANAntSrWwpWGx
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the127Please respect copyright.PENANAbeYhBcqbdD
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came127Please respect copyright.PENANAn1GQC93s2Z
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,127Please respect copyright.PENANAVYSR3j0jjC
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen127Please respect copyright.PENANARL1QUijU4D
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild127Please respect copyright.PENANAXdm1Hnrzoz
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the127Please respect copyright.PENANAbpDNImvwTu
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his127Please respect copyright.PENANAcI6gxi7VQx
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt127Please respect copyright.PENANAG9ze3m1EJW
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then127Please respect copyright.PENANAFCqo3sQuWs
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.127Please respect copyright.PENANAFIZcvQ6QVn
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal127Please respect copyright.PENANAuOrryVZy72
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a127Please respect copyright.PENANAg9MjPUFntb
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around127Please respect copyright.PENANA156ERUYXYc
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”127Please respect copyright.PENANAnJ5KprSPWV
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He127Please respect copyright.PENANAitvIASzNRd
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the127Please respect copyright.PENANAaWZGfQsfrR
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about127Please respect copyright.PENANA7mWpw0Vzoa
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want127Please respect copyright.PENANAuzwHyautoB
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the127Please respect copyright.PENANAvMVtqA7Mf8
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s127Please respect copyright.PENANAQAWBI8vMuQ
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard127Please respect copyright.PENANAnU1hxN7ABO
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,127Please respect copyright.PENANADhXSM4CTh9
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.127Please respect copyright.PENANACFk3JgvvMN
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock127Please respect copyright.PENANADuxFI3pskw
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander127Please respect copyright.PENANAHL3wUfStJt
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester127Please respect copyright.PENANABKL1G3xvQ7
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to127Please respect copyright.PENANAqP5CIOYLhr
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his127Please respect copyright.PENANAIWZJdB28UR
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this127Please respect copyright.PENANAeRJt0cZ5LZ
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”127Please respect copyright.PENANACsEdpXTdUF
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I127Please respect copyright.PENANAGl7X9ux4FT
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something127Please respect copyright.PENANApV87W6ghGj
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into127Please respect copyright.PENANAy8RaqDVWnQ
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”127Please respect copyright.PENANACat73G4bNn
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it127Please respect copyright.PENANAe2wZ3r2RfE
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles127Please respect copyright.PENANAxRLFLS44Xf
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new127Please respect copyright.PENANATDOBVA8kDj
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms127Please respect copyright.PENANAnDbjxlcDWI
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area127Please respect copyright.PENANAhtyky1f20c
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to127Please respect copyright.PENANANPyLfbBVVA
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went127Please respect copyright.PENANATSkCxWwdW4
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his127Please respect copyright.PENANA4Fdz0aAcXi
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard127Please respect copyright.PENANAaSLcmQH3NY
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to127Please respect copyright.PENANAOXU6mBXrVe
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh127Please respect copyright.PENANApe01MRF74i
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing127Please respect copyright.PENANADRpIKWV7g9
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this127Please respect copyright.PENANAyOjTh9nenX
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He127Please respect copyright.PENANAdBnM5Owjvy
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more127Please respect copyright.PENANAFC0HCNVVBS
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of127Please respect copyright.PENANAag6VOy6kd4
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no127Please respect copyright.PENANAiXqV6lGQaz
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he127Please respect copyright.PENANAkxkJty4j1r
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would127Please respect copyright.PENANAtbphURmpA4
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other127Please respect copyright.PENANAJj15Jvn8x4
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,127Please respect copyright.PENANAy7Mi1y13LX
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as127Please respect copyright.PENANAc7g75mMa9C
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring127Please respect copyright.PENANA5FR6YpJK8l
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t127Please respect copyright.PENANAgw1MNkwbCG
happen again.
Charles had told127Please respect copyright.PENANA6gi4K5Cp3z
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many127Please respect copyright.PENANA0hUlovqcoL
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was127Please respect copyright.PENANACwvuKEC6Xn
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers127Please respect copyright.PENANAPvdQ4sHX7P
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing127Please respect copyright.PENANAG8YkRoHFE8
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.127Please respect copyright.PENANA8vUqbRm6Vm
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from127Please respect copyright.PENANAUqqEsR5OaK
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A127Please respect copyright.PENANArY2RnguVgQ
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at127Please respect copyright.PENANAxYRbj9UFwy
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few127Please respect copyright.PENANAYCRk4rw14d
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears127Please respect copyright.PENANAMfUswZq8lu
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of127Please respect copyright.PENANA1DWdpeE9gE
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half127Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZpL39mj5s
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the127Please respect copyright.PENANAILZLHmxsIz
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with127Please respect copyright.PENANAoUwzm0ykfp
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a127Please respect copyright.PENANAm4PkLS8szW
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage127Please respect copyright.PENANA1AaWmF0Mgz
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great127Please respect copyright.PENANAJX7DnBnDbA
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we127Please respect copyright.PENANAoaP1zpS0Cz
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There127Please respect copyright.PENANAsK7obmFGsg
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit127Please respect copyright.PENANAoNEM6xeROx
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander127Please respect copyright.PENANALZOPy8XP1z
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman127Please respect copyright.PENANAeMFfflqb3g
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants127Please respect copyright.PENANAixbOR0fbW4
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with127Please respect copyright.PENANACxKw6Hn0z4
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”127Please respect copyright.PENANA3iEPpzG2qh
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew127Please respect copyright.PENANA3kVDCP9n0c
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them127Please respect copyright.PENANAidPVQjRu5k
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those127Please respect copyright.PENANA8k4ilHKI7v
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept127Please respect copyright.PENANAw4kCskcgFx
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female127Please respect copyright.PENANAH8RHA3YEJl
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you127Please respect copyright.PENANAySv3DwNWtT
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”127Please respect copyright.PENANANEXmrMoCXh
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”127Please respect copyright.PENANAGMpr8Y3yw1
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this127Please respect copyright.PENANANCANq94qOj
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking127Please respect copyright.PENANAcyCEJeTGQs
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked127Please respect copyright.PENANAGlXLlsDdOY
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many127Please respect copyright.PENANAL42PByX0n2
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and127Please respect copyright.PENANAkw0xsjWPW4
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed127Please respect copyright.PENANAu20UlcBFtL
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot127Please respect copyright.PENANAuWZHxRJF1X
she needed our order.”127Please respect copyright.PENANAQwq3nZiuH6
127Please respect copyright.PENANAYGc8aTRTha
“Yes127Please respect copyright.PENANAZCOEPPdARf
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen127Please respect copyright.PENANAUK04r8NXOS
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I127Please respect copyright.PENANAeT1YFsA0Le
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,127Please respect copyright.PENANA1Gv0ZKIjWq
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”127Please respect copyright.PENANANBcOMTAUny
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards127Please respect copyright.PENANAO2lcZEet9t
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she127Please respect copyright.PENANAM2cyOsuxTP
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she127Please respect copyright.PENANAiZa0HUam8Y
walked over towards them.
“Do you think127Please respect copyright.PENANAELOHIFofD7
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not127Please respect copyright.PENANARrWwvPQzaT
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get127Please respect copyright.PENANAWEcSKlVMRI
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is127Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8aU8umRqE
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want127Please respect copyright.PENANAGEOszfcMav
to handle this?”
“You go in and127Please respect copyright.PENANAZqTbabEalR
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if127Please respect copyright.PENANABYPehp2c2P
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.127Please respect copyright.PENANA6ggwyKFQAD
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to127Please respect copyright.PENANATRZm8J26DM
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them127Please respect copyright.PENANAt5AncOevOw
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get127Please respect copyright.PENANAwTVy9A0Llg
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was127Please respect copyright.PENANAIiB0rxvkIm
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,127Please respect copyright.PENANAzIXn3Ua4mO
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them127Please respect copyright.PENANAw1EWcHU2Ux
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room127Please respect copyright.PENANAOq1ARHpzWW
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t127Please respect copyright.PENANAZJPyKZQQay
uncommon.
As they made127Please respect copyright.PENANAJznmhITKA5
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,127Please respect copyright.PENANAvgEhvmKWHQ
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others127Please respect copyright.PENANAmYOW4CRLl9
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they127Please respect copyright.PENANAWwnUbhBibI
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them127Please respect copyright.PENANAkBc5Vzu0X8
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting127Please respect copyright.PENANAcvfPH28Jsq
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even127Please respect copyright.PENANAgShaSfyzdM
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the127Please respect copyright.PENANAKZTpc0N4vA
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t127Please respect copyright.PENANA4EnWaEwMuh
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or127Please respect copyright.PENANA6NSS4W3UJX
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were127Please respect copyright.PENANAnZuNKgotIZ
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried127Please respect copyright.PENANAzcCR0aGoHz
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors127Please respect copyright.PENANAUdAP7N1Q49
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,127Please respect copyright.PENANAXvVxOqBGCL
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by127Please respect copyright.PENANAnbTYc7W46E
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell127Please respect copyright.PENANAaL7nXh266K
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the127Please respect copyright.PENANAcWBacJkq9I
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head127Please respect copyright.PENANA9nInieVmLB
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to127Please respect copyright.PENANAy3DpTlXA0E
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until127Please respect copyright.PENANAvzCOZ2RTIW
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder127Please respect copyright.PENANAC4NwCyVVho
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting127Please respect copyright.PENANAPBBWF2lywQ
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and127Please respect copyright.PENANA3Cs4ZDVKio
came racing over.
“What in the name127Please respect copyright.PENANAPlNIJ5B05I
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was127Please respect copyright.PENANA7u1FupKLl5
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was127Please respect copyright.PENANA68WUjuuS0k
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.127Please respect copyright.PENANAzxgOpjFSGO
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving127Please respect copyright.PENANAUZZNEAUHt5
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence127Please respect copyright.PENANAIpKQqDesLq
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty127Please respect copyright.PENANA0LlVMmd9PW
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone127Please respect copyright.PENANAtQkSQdIyam
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get127Please respect copyright.PENANARUGhOgweZS
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles127Please respect copyright.PENANAmha2j4Opw1
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of127Please respect copyright.PENANAypnhyFJw4A
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what127Please respect copyright.PENANA8yb9tVmGYH
was going on.
“Clear out of the127Please respect copyright.PENANAkBhMNvFIEZ
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them127Please respect copyright.PENANA7RkyNU6poq
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He127Please respect copyright.PENANAIIRGRr5CyF
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He127Please respect copyright.PENANASOQIGr6xEV
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,127Please respect copyright.PENANAtubV23XZR8
he froze.
“What are you127Please respect copyright.PENANAR6PXKN2zYs
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to127Please respect copyright.PENANA63mr0wMe74
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of127Please respect copyright.PENANArnIDKFY5SG
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.127Please respect copyright.PENANARprMb7yL5h
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.127Please respect copyright.PENANAklzAdzdhdn
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very127Please respect copyright.PENANAt7jTAtU0mT
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.127Please respect copyright.PENANAycfO5x6vD0
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like127Please respect copyright.PENANAlUNbOThRme
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander127Please respect copyright.PENANAfV9f8PUuKs
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his127Please respect copyright.PENANATOnu36mDIL
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning127Please respect copyright.PENANATWYZldS5TV
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare127Please respect copyright.PENANAEDWSDP3ptH
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the127Please respect copyright.PENANA0dkfWmWqLX
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the127Please respect copyright.PENANAqZQ69bAGt4
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with127Please respect copyright.PENANAKG1bEk6nef
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he127Please respect copyright.PENANAZu8JW2FsPv
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy127Please respect copyright.PENANAlgdvzCVfH6
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them127Please respect copyright.PENANAxuUzrkv9Wl
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.127Please respect copyright.PENANAWivscDij3l
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d127Please respect copyright.PENANAbPoMUazxjX
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed127Please respect copyright.PENANApEZT1ksm7H
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly127Please respect copyright.PENANACCWzbVSOWD
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the127Please respect copyright.PENANA1eFidyPH5K
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll127Please respect copyright.PENANAMHiPLVzGOx
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have127Please respect copyright.PENANAeCojhBmVzC
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they127Please respect copyright.PENANAjMZwRz8bzB
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know127Please respect copyright.PENANAGnI9twuC8S
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in127Please respect copyright.PENANAnYBbl9LwvH
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at127Please respect copyright.PENANA0voeJqNay6
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed127Please respect copyright.PENANATPTBTSpl8P
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned127Please respect copyright.PENANAdpjhCQPUZe
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His127Please respect copyright.PENANAqmpZjkbjYi
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t127Please respect copyright.PENANAP9rjG2saBX
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and127Please respect copyright.PENANAndxDDmCklC
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a127Please respect copyright.PENANArYs2gOdQFf
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the127Please respect copyright.PENANAEOvE7gLMOn
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives127Please respect copyright.PENANAkeB68Rxtex
tightly. He made the first move. He drew127Please respect copyright.PENANAjkjIV3ZKEf
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to127Please respect copyright.PENANAllINmg5eGd
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him127Please respect copyright.PENANAsjDHkBvNWg
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let127Please respect copyright.PENANAZv5kq9CddX
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his127Please respect copyright.PENANAjhV3bqm6qY
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let127Please respect copyright.PENANAdQbpIRoiyh
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over127Please respect copyright.PENANAB6pnb51PUZ
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting127Please respect copyright.PENANA8ISlNYTJJs
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick127Please respect copyright.PENANAJNC4oIzSvz
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then127Please respect copyright.PENANAUO0PAgITGb
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect127Please respect copyright.PENANArTcmtCkr1S
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he127Please respect copyright.PENANAPllGaZwsWb
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back127Please respect copyright.PENANALtLNNoh2ji
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and127Please respect copyright.PENANANYSDZpth67
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”127Please respect copyright.PENANAQH9V8HVEnL
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a127Please respect copyright.PENANAaqdVpYKvUx
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but127Please respect copyright.PENANAk7UTHvMUAT
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in127Please respect copyright.PENANAhgpA6gwzqQ
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.127Please respect copyright.PENANA7FbXAOje1N
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the127Please respect copyright.PENANAQx1BmEkzAU
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the127Please respect copyright.PENANAWFGHOhzDZr
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.127Please respect copyright.PENANAohc4rwC1Jp
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped127Please respect copyright.PENANAXNld4kA7i4
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell127Please respect copyright.PENANAfGN9rgcbJz
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to127Please respect copyright.PENANA7Zl63ChNV7
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been127Please respect copyright.PENANA34qTKAPNtN
injured.
“Come with me.”127Please respect copyright.PENANAFWcaec01ve
He said. “I can protect you.”
127Please respect copyright.PENANAF0I4JZsPZo
127Please respect copyright.PENANAy8jcBhJuKS
127Please respect copyright.PENANAPdorWzWEoj
127Please respect copyright.PENANALtn8HUCLTa
127Please respect copyright.PENANAWOnxhE3xXB
127Please respect copyright.PENANA01O6UtKgTO
127Please respect copyright.PENANAUmoePq9dsX
127Please respect copyright.PENANAXwZZpi3r1w
127Please respect copyright.PENANATzRZXGOuWZ
127Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZywytRLKn
127Please respect copyright.PENANAF9Twgx9kbs
127Please respect copyright.PENANAHZW2KrRD66
127Please respect copyright.PENANA0UMhPdyQhN
127Please respect copyright.PENANAnWBk7tbK2V
127Please respect copyright.PENANA1yrdWhpB39
127Please respect copyright.PENANACjL5jKRYjv
127Please respect copyright.PENANAd7MKC2HI2I
127Please respect copyright.PENANAavM02a2bdy
127Please respect copyright.PENANAEinZYNeZzU
127Please respect copyright.PENANA4x8pmVg3eO
127Please respect copyright.PENANANej5gVwKYl
127Please respect copyright.PENANAq5N5APoD5J
127Please respect copyright.PENANAZursnBBKRS
127Please respect copyright.PENANAbGlOaU3gO6
127Please respect copyright.PENANACh0lJdflh9
127Please respect copyright.PENANA3HHEythqOc
127Please respect copyright.PENANAMq7WWiK2Z4
127Please respect copyright.PENANAEqbq7UAWNW
127Please respect copyright.PENANAbvcL1gg2ko
127Please respect copyright.PENANAsYKUXJZVo5
127Please respect copyright.PENANA5s9y9ovkNT
127Please respect copyright.PENANAGglJ6h4Rnc
127Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4UlpOAxVk
127Please respect copyright.PENANAbjpdL9HclK
127Please respect copyright.PENANAWPydRfgm7u
127Please respect copyright.PENANA3WXLTCpAQ0
127Please respect copyright.PENANALODNLMqO0d
127Please respect copyright.PENANAtYN2M6iVn5
127Please respect copyright.PENANACsieauye2w
127Please respect copyright.PENANAfpu3VU9aZ5
127Please respect copyright.PENANAGuj6gxLbVQ
127Please respect copyright.PENANAsXLUz0E7D2
127Please respect copyright.PENANAxGcuZDMg0r
127Please respect copyright.PENANAHJXDISStHf
127Please respect copyright.PENANA5ShRYu7jr4
127Please respect copyright.PENANA3d1X3LITKA
127Please respect copyright.PENANA2lvQKuPZ3U
127Please respect copyright.PENANAvKXxbfsTQc
127Please respect copyright.PENANAPuKWNWkl0d
127Please respect copyright.PENANA2o81rMTYOO
127Please respect copyright.PENANACcHVd9W0XA
127Please respect copyright.PENANAdZQRA652sL
127Please respect copyright.PENANA2F1Ps8MwOf
127Please respect copyright.PENANAs3Hcab4cT5
127Please respect copyright.PENANAPq5kXwlpLy
127Please respect copyright.PENANAmA0nNdeBsr
127Please respect copyright.PENANAvWMNUHClhU
127Please respect copyright.PENANASuEilX19fJ
127Please respect copyright.PENANAzjLf9zXXJD
127Please respect copyright.PENANAqAya6oxicS
127Please respect copyright.PENANAvj4YomJW2X
127Please respect copyright.PENANAqtOW8e0hbL
127Please respect copyright.PENANAwEVXtyRLEv
127Please respect copyright.PENANAJziwN4o7tv
127Please respect copyright.PENANAyVQQFQ2j8q
127Please respect copyright.PENANAHRRCoHcWhe
127Please respect copyright.PENANAqVwrUMMind
127Please respect copyright.PENANAuIE925P1J9
127Please respect copyright.PENANARLEj2b5WE5
127Please respect copyright.PENANAaPTN1fOO58
127Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8fOTpfaZ0
127Please respect copyright.PENANAnDd13sGAMN
127Please respect copyright.PENANAuN0giRbzq7
127Please respect copyright.PENANA9HirLQPqoo
127Please respect copyright.PENANAGxLLsL9T3p
127Please respect copyright.PENANA9TbS8zeFxy
127Please respect copyright.PENANALKJDuGZnFC
127Please respect copyright.PENANA0giHl20TRb
127Please respect copyright.PENANAjbJelllJi2
127Please respect copyright.PENANAB0tr1kvbkI
127Please respect copyright.PENANA7Wq37H7dCf
127Please respect copyright.PENANAciu1uKaRnI
127Please respect copyright.PENANAsiwfcMO45I
127Please respect copyright.PENANAbeO6bkdyh2
127Please respect copyright.PENANAkCNundHF1A
127Please respect copyright.PENANA4Zn4Ogmq3e
127Please respect copyright.PENANAKANSth6L9O
127Please respect copyright.PENANAri8I4E8o8z
127Please respect copyright.PENANAYHlk2wr2LI
127Please respect copyright.PENANAXtw8bVEPBy
127Please respect copyright.PENANAKnz8dhxzLq
127Please respect copyright.PENANA9UnidgLCY0
127Please respect copyright.PENANAI56pcRioW1
127Please respect copyright.PENANA02jT0LfG3r
127Please respect copyright.PENANAmvjn4fcO69
127Please respect copyright.PENANAKzMOyXBt4x
127Please respect copyright.PENANAYj8IWtJ3xH
127Please respect copyright.PENANAvCZWLcmTZG
127Please respect copyright.PENANAHVprXLAQCY
127Please respect copyright.PENANAYZ06TVBFvM
127Please respect copyright.PENANABYMk5Zxso8
127Please respect copyright.PENANAHHJ78SiHVm
127Please respect copyright.PENANAbhJ6kNdB5l
127Please respect copyright.PENANAOZyKjfDK7B
127Please respect copyright.PENANAjRJTsKyOH9
127Please respect copyright.PENANA4fTTY77KNg
127Please respect copyright.PENANAs5FW8JAPEF
127Please respect copyright.PENANAZ441OLQAXa
127Please respect copyright.PENANAR9EGyvrUFl
127Please respect copyright.PENANACWkXGNnEXL
127Please respect copyright.PENANAzcsf5KrpSb
127Please respect copyright.PENANAwapgRcfvR5
127Please respect copyright.PENANAxiscrGC2rJ
127Please respect copyright.PENANAN7kYIkRDHt
127Please respect copyright.PENANAw78TqQtTDy
127Please respect copyright.PENANAPlChuxb36d
127Please respect copyright.PENANAzK2f0enli6
127Please respect copyright.PENANAbDMuwALEW7
127Please respect copyright.PENANAQwt7KA8yNi
127Please respect copyright.PENANAPlFbVO0TId
127Please respect copyright.PENANA4eCclImkn8
127Please respect copyright.PENANAWpTngmplBt
127Please respect copyright.PENANAV1cGJADoDv
127Please respect copyright.PENANAkkMXXHzopF
127Please respect copyright.PENANAPHNvJDA0YT
127Please respect copyright.PENANAP22dnxED5V
127Please respect copyright.PENANAhd8zaoOktf
127Please respect copyright.PENANAXFBbgejgqy
127Please respect copyright.PENANAZjGRey32ND
127Please respect copyright.PENANAHxzWzNb1d7
127Please respect copyright.PENANAwXKgk5UoHs
127Please respect copyright.PENANAJqOSVezVOL
127Please respect copyright.PENANApgT3UT7nNn
127Please respect copyright.PENANAYXpZTdZSYx
127Please respect copyright.PENANAzDeMOALr44
127Please respect copyright.PENANAEaEL0hgtHH
127Please respect copyright.PENANAH1GihdHbBl
127Please respect copyright.PENANAscFEtV0Tl8
“I don’t need127Please respect copyright.PENANATu3W5lqekN
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and127Please respect copyright.PENANAGA4aRpqZ8K
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their127Please respect copyright.PENANAAI30iNfIv7
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing127Please respect copyright.PENANAyN9SVzB9Ah
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the127Please respect copyright.PENANA017XglNdvi
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was127Please respect copyright.PENANAHoCPR72yVO
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.